A Roundtable Discussion on ‘Indian Ocean – Strategic Interests’ by Observer Research Foundation (ORF) and National Maritime Foundation (NMF) was held at Chennai on September 19, 2011.

The discussion was attended by academic community including college students, journalists, diplomats from U.S, Australia, Sri Lanka, serving and retired officers from the Indian Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard and the Merchant Navy.

Here I bring out some interesting information and discussions pertaining to Indian Ocean:

If Indian Ocean can not be treated as India’s Ocean, the same logic applies to China as well (South China Sea can not be treated as China’s Sea).

India Chairs the Indian Ocean Rim-Association for Regional Cooperation (IOR-ARC) for the years 2011 and 2012 along with Australia as the Vice Chair during this period.

An audio – visual presentation on ‘Indian Ocean – Strategic Interests’ was given by Commodore (Retd) S. Shekhar, Indian Navy, Regional Director, National Maritime Foundation, Chennai Chapter. Here are the highlights of his presentation (his personal views, not that of NMF):

India’s Maritime Domain policy documents are available in the form of

Indian Navy Vision Document published by Integrated Headquarters of Defence in May 2006.

India’s Maritime Military strategy by Integrated Headquarters of Defence in May 2007.

National Maritime Agenda published by the Ministry of Shipping in January 2011.

India’s national interest pertains to: Security, Economic prosperity, Global role in the Indian Ocean.

Conducting seminars/conferences like Indian Maritime Technology Conference (IMTC) of January 2011 at Chennai and Ship Building Conference (Strategies, Human Resources, Infrastructure, Processes, Shipyard productivity – SHIPS 2011) to be held on 27 and 28 September 2011 at Kochi.

Global role for India

To safe guard SLOC by increasing the presence of the Indian Navy and reducing the presence of the U.S Navy in the Indian Ocean.

Areas needing attention: Closely link national strategy with maritime strategy; Strengthen maritime aspects of Look East policy; Bring in maritime awareness into the national mainstream; monitor the implementation of IOC – ARC decisions by all member states.

Some interesting interaction from the audience:

Piracy at sea:

As the piracy at sea is increasing with the demand for huge amounts as ransom, the insurance rates are going up for movement of cargo through sea lanes.

What is being done collectively to overcome this ?

As a short term effective method, piracy at sea has to be stopped by using Naval Forces.

China’s String of Pearls in the Indian Ocean Region: China is yet to develop credible presence in ports of Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Coco Islands etc.,

Strength of Indian Navy:

Are old warships being phased out, are replaced with new warships ?

Now private shipyards are also engaged to build warships to cater the growth of the Indian Navy.

Here are some photographs

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